NFLPA “disappointed” by NFL’s suspensions of two Broncos

The NFL Players Association on Tuesday issued a statement showing support for Broncos players DJ Williams and Ryan McBean, who both have been suspended for six games next season for a violation of the league’s policy banning performance enhancing drugs.

“The NFLPA is disappointed by the decisions in the cases of Ryan McBean and D.J. Williams. Despite substantial evidence of breaches in the collection protocol and other procedural irregularities, the NFL decided to punish these players without judicious review of the facts. The League-appointed hearing officer then affirmed the discipline, even though the specimen collector was fired by his agency for not following procedures. The NFL also failed to produce the sample collector as a witness during the players’ appeals hearing.

The NFLPA and NFL have been negotiating a new and comprehensive Substances of Abuse and Steroids policies. The facts in these two cases and in recent cases in other sports, dramatically underscore the players’ insistence to have independent, neutral arbitrators as part of any future policy. We will continue to fight for a fair, clean and safe game.”

DJ Williams has always been trouble, and he has a history of issues going back to his days at deLasalle. Why would Peyton come here when two knucklehead starters will not sniff the field until they serve their sanction? EFX, or more appropriately the three stooges, do not have a clue moving forward.

Puckmeup

I love how these twits are holding onto the “they didn’t catch us according to protocol, therefore, we shouldn’t be held accountable” defense.

While I greatly disagree with criminalizing the use of drugs for average folks, I think that pro athletes should have stiffer penalties as they all have greater rewards for their jobs. You want the ultimate reward, then accept the ultimate penalties for not living up to the standards that afford you dumb-asses with cushy benefits. I have no sympathy for any of you guys.

Mike Klis has been with The Denver Post since 1998, after working 13 years with the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. Major League Baseball was Klis' initial passion. He started covering the Colorado Rockies after Coors Field was approved for construction in August 1990.

Nicki Jhabvala is the Sports Digital News Editor for The Denver Post. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor, and she was most recently the overnight home page editor at the New York Times. She has reported regularly on the Broncos since joining the staff.

A published author and award-winning journalist, Benjamin Hochman is a sports columnist for The Denver Post. He previously worked on the staff of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, winners of two Pulitzer Prizes for their Hurricane Katrina coverage.